CHICAGO CULTURAL ALLIANCE TO HOST “INHERIT CHICAGO” - THE ONLY INTERCULTURAL FESTIVAL OF ITS KIND

CHICAGO, IL (July 17, 2019) – As immigrants’ fears boil and the nation reels amid controversial immigration policies, native and immigrant Cultural Heritage Centers and Museums across Chicagoland are offering Inherit Chicago, a month-long festival of music, food and programming, promoting cultural understanding, justice and solidarity.Inherit Chicago is the city’s only intercultural festival that brings together over 30 cultural centers and heritage museums, members of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, in collaboration to produce programming in 20 diverse neighborhoods in the region throughout October 2019.“At a time when many communities are under attack, we as members of the Chicago Cultural Alliance want to band together as a positive force for cultural understanding and solidarity,” said Heather Miller, Executive Director of the American Indian Center and Member of the Alliance. “The events we have created are as dynamic and exciting as our great City, and we’re thrilled to welcome new and old audiences to our centers and museums.”Inherit Chicago kicks off September 29th with World Dumpling Fest at Navy Pier, in collaboration with the World Music Festival produced by the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events from 12:00pm-7:00pm at Navy Pier’s Polk Bros Fountain and Park. The event will feature performances from global music and local groups, heritage-based artists and of course, dumplings. 20 neighborhood-based ethnic restaurants in the Chicago region will be featured including Pierogis from Kasia's Deli, Bao and Sui Mai from Chinese Friendship Restaurant, Coxinha de Galinha and Bolinho de Aipim from Sinha Elegant Brazilian Cuisine & Catering, and more.The festival then extends to the neighborhoods for 20 intercultural programs and events that span diverse topics and issues from traditional drumming as resistance to a mash-up of classical and Latin music. The festival’s goal is for a wide cross-section of Chicagoans, young and old, newcomers and old-timers, to visit a neighborhood that they may know little about, and through cultural exchange, come to see the bonds that bind and enrich us.

“Inherit Chicago is a festival created by the incredible cultural heritage institutions that make this city vibrant and interesting,” says Emily Reusswig, Executive Director at the Chicago Cultural Alliance. “This is an opportunity to visit a place you’ve perhaps never been and engage in a cultural journey that is not only entertaining but enlightening. We want to put Chicagoans in the driver seat of experiencing all of the culture, food, performance, and art that the neighborhoods have to offer.”The festival kicks off with World Dumpling Fest, in collaboration with World Music Festival presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the City of Chicago who will bring global performance. The culinary adventure continues with authentic food and tastings being offered at neighborhood events a part of Inherit Chicago.

Tickets for World Dumpling Fest and Inherit Chicago programs are on sale now atinheritchicago.org. Additional neighborhood programs will be announced in August. Leading up to the festival, visitors to the website can sign up for the Inherit newsletter to stay connected and receive updates and promotions.World Dumpling FestPresented by the Chicago Cultural Alliance in collaboration with World Music Festival, by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, City of ChicagoAt Navy Pier Polk Bros Fountain & Park, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago IL 60601September 29th, 2019 12:00-7:00PMWorld Music Festival meets the World Dumpling Fest at Navy Pier's Polk Bros Fountain and Performance Lawn to deliver delicious dumplings, local culture, and global music! The event will feature dumplings of the world from 20 neighborhood-based ethnic restaurants in the Chicago region including Pierogis from Kasia's Deli, Bao and Sui Mai from Chinese Friendship Restaurant, Coxinha de Galinha and Bolinho de Aipim from Sinha Elegant Brazilian Cuisine & Catering, and more! This all-ages event is a day of celebration of our region and world culture you won't want to miss. Stay tuned for the full lineup of restaurants and cultural art vendors coming in August.The kick-off is followed by collaborative programs and events from:Voices of the WorldA collaboration of Open Center for the Arts & Chicago Public SchoolsAt Open Center for the Arts, 2214 S. Sacramento Ave, Chicago IL 60623October 5th, 2019 5:00-9:00PMExperience The “Voices of the World Project” with Open Center for The Arts. The project showcases 51 artists from 48 countries who have created posters that interpret what “We are all Migrants” means. Take a tour of the Little Village neighborhood where many of the posters are exhibited. After the tour, join community residents in a conversation about their experience of migration from Mexico to Chicago. Admission: FreeReawakening Vision: Photography by Dorrell CreightneyA collaboration of The Swedish American Museum, DuSable Museum of African American History, and Creightney PhotographyAt Swedish American Museum, 5211 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640October 6th, 2019 2:00-4:00PMThe DuSable Museum of African American History and the Swedish American Museum in collaboration with Vanessa Stokes, daughter of photographer Dorrell Creightney, will host a discussion and unfurling of visual culture. Creightney spent years in Stockholm, Sweden capturing images of musicians, artists, activists, and the everyday. His life and career as a photographer opens a conversation about Blacks of the Diaspora, creatives and entrepreneurship, racial justice and cultural understanding. Admission: $5Cambodian Music: Life and HealingA collaboration of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial and Crossing Borders MusicWith 3 performances:At Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington), October 6th | 2:00 – 4:00PMAt National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial, (2831 W Lawrence Ave) October 20th | 2:00 – 4:00PMAt the Skokie Library, (5215 Oakton St, Skokie, IL), October 27th | 3:00-5:00PMThe National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial and Crossing Borders Music present music celebrating the living tradition of Cambodian arts in a concert for remembrance and healing. Under the Khmer Rouge, most Cambodian artists were killed. After, Cambodians made heroic efforts to find living artists to pass along the traditional art forms. This life-affirming performance will showcase National Cambodian Heritage Museum resident artist Punisa Pov, who was taught by genocide survivors, and the Crossing Borders Music String Quartet performing music performing string quartet music inspired by the traditional art forms and honoring the genocide victims. Admission: FreeRepatriation of Cultural PatrimonyA collaboration of the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago, National Hellenic Museum, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, & Chinese American Museum of ChicagoAt the National Hellenic Museum, 333 South Halsted Street Chicago, Illinois 60666October 10th, 2019 5:00-8:00PMDemands for repatriation of lost cultural patrimony and stolen human remains make weekly headlines around the world. Join the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago, the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian and the National Hellenic Museum in deepening your understanding of the complexities of repatriation in this panel discussion. Experts will share the history, repercussions in the community, and current repatriation efforts in Indigenous communities of the US and Canada, China, Greece, and Ethiopia. The discussion will be accompanied by a photographic pop-up exhibit showing how the demands for the return of lost cultural treasures can unite ethnicities and nationalities. Tickets: $5Journey for Justice: Untold Filipino-American HistoryA collaboration of the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago, Jane Addams Hull-House, Chicago Public Library, Philippine American Cultural Foundation Performing ArtsAt Jane Addams Hull-House 800 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60607October 11, 2019 5:00-8:00PMMeet the co-author of Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong, Gayle Romasanta in this social justice driven family program. The children’s book tells the story of Larry Itliong's lifelong fight for a farmworkers union, and the birth of one of the most significant American social movements of all time. The event also includes performances from Philipino American Cultural Foundation Performing Arts and food from local Filipino-American restaurants. Tickets: $5Forgotten FormsA collaboration of Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Art & CultureAt Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60622Opening Reception- October 11th, 2019 6:00-9:00PM, On Display until December 8th, 2019Visit the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art for the opening reception of Forgotten Forms, a collaborative exhibition with the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture. Investigating seemingly everyday objects to reveal a much greater story about neighborhood identity, placemaking and city life, the exhibition highlights the work of two emerging artists, both of whom explore structural elements of urban landscapes. Edra Soto revisits Puerto Rico’s vernacular architecture through her GRAFT installations and architectural interventions, and Yhelena Hall touches on the history of Chicago and explores a marginal state of detritus becoming artifacts through her series Polished Remnants. Tickets: $5Cricket Mela: An Indo-American TraditionA collaboration of National Indo-American Museum & Midwest Cricket AssociationAt Cricket Hill Soccer Fields, 4500 N. Lakeshore Drive | W. Montrose Chicago, IL 60607October 12th, 2019 11:00AM-4:00PMJoin the National Indo-American Museum and the Midwest Cricket Association for an Indo-American tradition, Cricket. The Cricket Mela is an initiative from the National Indo-American Museum toward harboring diversity through a fun, family event for all to enjoy. While also enjoying a game played by professional cricket players, the event will introduce people to the rules of the game and the culture around it. Suggested Donation: $5A Culinary Journey: Discover How Chinese Workers Helped Build the RailroadA collaboration of the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Chinese American Service League and Project VisionAt Chinese American Museum of Chicago,238 W 23rd St, Chicago, IL 60616October 12th, 2019 2:00PM-4:00PMJoin the Chinese American Museum of Chicago for a journey back to how the Chinese built the railroad! In this interactive sensory program, learn about the healthy habits of Chinese workers who built the first transcontinental railroad system. Enjoy the food of the health-conscious railroad workers through a cooking demonstration from Chef Don B. Lee. The food will also be paired with different types of Chinese tea. Tickets: $5Classical Music Meets Latin RhythmsA collaboration of Dominican American Midwest Association, The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, & El Ministro de Cultura República Dominicana, Puerto Rican Arts AllianceAt the 19th Century Club,178 Forest Ave, Oak Park, IL 60301October 18th, 2019 7:30PM-9PMJoin the Dominican American Midwest Association and Puerto Rican Arts Alliance for a fusion of classical music and Latin rhythms with internationally renowned Dominican-Pakistani violinist Aisha Syed-Castro. The performance also features Polish pianist Martin Labazevitch, with compositions by Dominican Rafael Solano, Argentinians Astor Piazzola and Carlos Gardel, Spanish Enrique Granados, and African-American William Grant Still. You won't want to miss this cultural music mashup! Tickets: $45Indigenous Dance CelebrationA collaboration of Trickster Art Gallery, Philippine American Cultural Foundation, Chicago Japanese American Historical Society, Aztec Dance Chicago, and the Maori DancersAt Trickster Art Gallery, 190 South Roselle Rd. Schaumburg IL 60193October 19th, 2019 2:00-5:00PMCelebrate traditional dances and enjoy the beautiful regalia from the native communities of the Trickster Art Gallery, along with other ingenious dancers from the Filipino, Japanese, Aztec and Maori communities. The audience will be invited to participate in the fun as well! Learn about the contemporary uses of the dances and the historical significance of their traditional clothing. Tickets: $5Youth Fine Art & Music CompetitionAssyrian Universal Alliance FoundationAt the Assyrian Universal Alliance Foundation, 4343 W Touhy Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712October 13th, 2019 3:00-6:00PMJoin the Assyrian Universal Alliance Foundation for an interactive Youth Fine Art & Music Competition where the audience members are encouraged to participate as judges! The competition will be followed by Youth Music Class Performance and a Professional Recital. Cocktails and Appetizers will be served.Tickets: $10Englewood Peace CircleA collaboration of Bronzeville Historical Society with Community Leaders & ActivistsAt Peace Park, 550 West Englewood Ave. Chicago, IL 60621October 17th, 2019 6:00PM-8:00PMParticipate in the Peace Circle gathering as volunteers and community builders activate a vacant lot in Englewood transforming it into a space for dialogue about trauma and healing. All ages are welcome to join in the drumming, libations, and appreciation of the elders, veterans, and ALL who call Englewood Home. Admission: Free

Cazele: The Story of a Haitian-Polish Community in HaitiA collaboration of Haitian American Museum of Chicago and the Polish Museum of America At the Polish Museum of America, 984 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642October 18th, 2019, 6:00-8:00PMWatch the premiere of a short documentary, produced collaboratively by the Haitian American Museum of Chicago and the Polish Museum of America, about the Cazele Massacre in Haiti. The documentary tells the story of the city of Cazele and its Haitian-Polish community's struggle under a dictator's reign. Hear from an expert panel featuring Haitian and Polish historians about how these events brought together the Haitian and Polish communities in a fight for independence.

Words, Poems, and Music of ResilienceA collaboration of Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center and Muslim American Leadership AllianceAt Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4048 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60639October 25th, 2019, 6:00-8:00PMParticipate in an Open Mic Night with Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center and the Muslim American Leadership Alliance. Performances will promote tolerance, cultural understanding, equality and justice through the lens of the Afro-Puerto Rican and Muslim American communities’ history and diversity. The lineup of performers featured will include poetry, spoken word, song, music, comedy, and readings. Anyone is welcome to take the stage and join in the celebration of diversity and cultural heritage.Drumming for ResistanceA collaboration of the American Indian Center, HANA Center, & Japanese American Service CommitteeAt American Indian Center, 3401 W Ainslie Street Chicago, IL 60625October 26th, 2019 5PM-8PMJoin the American Indian Center, HANA Center and the Japanese Service Committee for a cultural dinner and drum performance. The evening kicks off with food from the American Indian, Korean and Japanese communities and a short presentation about the importance of drums within the respective cultural communities. After dinner, all three groups will showcase their own cultural drum performance, ending with a collaborative drum piece that combines all three drum styles with audience participation. Tickets: $10Inherit Chicago is supported by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.Website:www.InheritChicago.orgAssets:High-resolution Photos:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vXznAZeUbLBmL7QankZbY3ye5pnYOQop?usp=sharingB-roll/promotional video:https://youtu.be/7IeXYxXJoQkPress Contact: For more information and to schedule interviews with Inherit Chicago Collaborators, please contact Emily Reusswig at 312-925-5700, ereusswig@chicagoculturalalliance.org.ABOUT CHICAGO CULTURAL ALLIANCEThe Chicago Cultural Alliance is the only organization of its kind in the US, representing 41 Chicago-area heritage museums, cultural centers, and historical societies - our Core Members, and 19 Partners, a wide range of civic and arts organizations. Our mission is to connect, promote and support centers of cultural heritage for a more inclusive and culturally vibrant region.Core Members serve 29 ethnic populations ranging from 3,000 to 1 million, located in 24 neighborhoods spanning the city and 7 suburbs. Nearly 60% of Core Members are anchors for immigrant populations. The Alliance’s programming and services celebrate diversity, preserve history, and honor tradition while amplifying intercultural collaboration.The Alliance offerings include large-scale collaborative programming that showcases Core Member assets, shared services that build capacity, promotion, and networking opportunities throughout the year through our member meetings and conferences.The Alliance was formally created in 2008 after beginning at The Field Museum as the Cultural Connections program from 1998-2006.More information is available at www.ChicagoCulturalAlliance.org.

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